What is the difference between a conveyancer, solicitor & a settlement agent?
Solicitors are specialists who can give legal advice and prepare legal documents. This can include conveyancing which is the process of transferring a property’s ownership from one person to another. Conveyancers are specialised clerks that work only with conveyancing. Conveyancers may or may not have a legal background or legal training. Most states require that conveyancers hold a license, have the appropriate qualifications and that they are adequately insured. In Western Australia settlement agents are used in place of a solicitor or conveyancer. Settlement agents are specialised administration staff that handle the transfer process, they do not usually get involved in the offer and acceptance contract between the buyer and seller which is instead handled by the real estate agent. There isn’t too big a difference between a solicitor and a conveyancer except that a solicitor is qualified to give legal advice whereas a conveyancer may be a little cheaper and may give better service.
